Recording and Videomail for Video Conferencing Call Systems

1. A computer-implemented method for implementing videomail for video conferencing, the method comprising: a caller using a computing device to make a video conference call to a first called party; in response to the first called party not accepting the video conference call, providing a videomail service that includes; recording a videomail message from the caller as sender of the videomail message, to the first called party as recipient of the videomail message; notifying the first called party that the first called party has a videomail message; and permitting the sender to cancel the recorded videomail message.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the caller makes the video conference call also to a second called party, the method further comprising: initiating a video conference between the caller and the second called party; the step of recording the videomail message including recording the video conference as the videomail message.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein the videomail message includes text chat during the video conference.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the videomail service permits the sender to send the videomail message to two or more recipients.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the videomail service permits the sender to edit the recorded videomail message before sending to the recipient.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising: upon cancellation of the recorded videomail message, notifying the first called party that the first called party missed a video conference call.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising: permitting the recipient to forward the videomail message.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein the videomail service further includes: permitting the sender to limit the distribution of the videomail message.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein the videomail service further includes: permitting the sender to limit the number of times the videomail message is forwarded.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the videomail service further includes: permitting the sender to limit a lifetime of the videomail message.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the videomail service further includes: permitting the sender to set permissions for the videomail message.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the first called party is notified before recording of the videomail message has been completed.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 further comprising: in response to a request from the first called party, playing back the videomail message to the first called party, the play back beginning before recording of the videomail message has been completed.

14. A graphical user interface for display and/or play back of videomail messages for video conferencing, the graphical user interface comprising: a main communicator element that includes top-level controls for video conferencing; and a message center that identifies received videomail messages, at least some of the videomail messages generated in connection with video conferencing activities, the videomail messages played back within a playback window upon selection from the message center, wherein the message center can be docked or undocked, the message center displayed within the main communicator element when docked and displayed in a window separate from the main communicator element when undocked.

15. The graphical user interface of claim 14 wherein the playback window can be docked or undocked, the playback window displayed within the main communicator element when docked and displayed in a window separate from the main communicator element when undocked.

16. The graphical user interface of claim 15 wherein selecting a videomail message for play back automatically undocks the playback window for that videomail message.

17. The graphical user interface of claim 14 further comprising: a user input element that, when activated, permits the recipient to reply all to the other addressees on the videomail message.

18. The graphical user interface of claim 14 further comprising: a user input element that, when activated, permits the recipient to initiate a video conference with the other addressees on the videomail message.

19. A computer-implemented method for recording video conferencing as videomail messages, the method comprising: receiving a video conference call from a caller to called party; using a computing device to initiate a video conference between the caller and the called party; recording the participants in the video conference who have agreed to the recording; storing the recorded video conference; and sending the recorded video conference as a videomail message to a recipient.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of sending the recorded video conference as a videomail message to a recipient comprises: storing the recorded video conference at a central server; and sending to the recipient a notification of the recorded video conference.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes notifying participants in the video conference that the video conference is being recorded.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 21 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes recording only those participants in the video conference who have agreed to recording.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes recording text chat during the video conference.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes: selecting which participants in the video conference to record; and recording only the selected participants.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes recording a separate video stream for different participants in the video conference.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes recording a separate audio stream for different participants in the video conference.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording the video conference includes recording private messages sent between participants during the video conference.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 19 further comprising: playing back the videomail message.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 wherein the recipient has the same controls over play back of the videomail message as would have been available for original broadcast of the video conference.

30. A computer-implemented method for implementing video conferencing, the method comprising: a caller using a computing device to make a video conference call to at least two called parties; at least two of the called parties accepting the video conference call; initiating a video conference, with the caller and the accepting called parties as participants; receiving a request from one of the participants to send a private message to another participant; sending the private message from the requesting participant to the receiving participant without notifying the other participants; permitting the private message to be saved by the requesting participant or the receiving participant; and notifying the requesting participant, the receiving participant, or both that the private message has been saved.